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I’d love to take a walk on the beach to cool off.”
    Todd nodded and hurriedly swallowed his last bite of pizza. “Yeah. Okay. Let’s go. Anyone else want to come?”
    Annoyance briefly crossed Jessica’s face. She stood up, tossing back her long hair, pulling down the hems of her magenta short shorts.
    April saw Matt’s eyes bulge.
    Okay, okay, she thought. So Jessica is gorgeous.
    She gave him a sharp jab in the ribs. “Don’t drool on your pizza.”
    â€œHuh?” He pretended he didn’t know what she was talking about.
    â€œCatch you later,” Todd said happily, allowing Jessica to pull him to the door.
    â€œYeah. Later,” Matt repeated, still staring at Jessica’s long, slender legs.
    â€œNice to meet you,” Gabri called after them.
    But Todd and Jessica were already out the door.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    â€œI like your friends,” Jessica said, holding on to Todd’s arm as they made their way along the shore.
    It was a warm, clear night. The low moon surrounded by twinkling stars made the sand glimmer. The beach surface was cream-colored, furrowed by shifting blue shadows.
    â€œIt’s so crowded tonight. Not like last night,” Todd said.
    Enjoying the warm night, people swarmed over the beach—couples, groups, strollers, joggers, little kids out past their bedtime, collecting shells in the bright moonlight.
    Jessica kicked off her sandals and pulled Todd toward the water.
    Green-purple waves leapt to the shore, then flattened out with a gentle whoosh, rolling up the sand, puddling at their feet.
    â€œWhere are you going?” he asked, pulling back.
    â€œHow about a swim?” She gazed at him enticingly, her bare shoulders gleaming like ivory. She tugged him gently back toward the water.
    â€œNo way,” he said, shaking his head.
    She pressed her lips into a dark pout. “Don’t you want to swim with me?” Her expression turned mischievous. “You don’t need a swimsuit.”
    He laughed. “It’s not that. It’s the undertow.”
    â€œOh,” she said, her eyes narrowing, her expression still playful, still tugging him by the hand. “You mean you’re chicken?”
    â€œYeah. That’s it,” he confessed. “I’m chicken. I mean, I’m not really that good a swimmer.”
    â€œSure you are,” she whispered, the wind catching her hair, sending it soaring behind her.
    â€œNo. Really. I’m not,” he insisted. “And I hear the undertow on the beach at night is unbelievable.” Watching her face fill with disappointment, he quickly added, “Besides, I just like walking with you.”
    He’s getting over his shyness, Jessica thought, pleased with herself, with the way things were going.
    He hasn’t much personality, but he’s kind of sweet.
    The nectar is sweet, that is. Very sweet.
    Her thirst suddenly became overwhelming.
    â€œLet’s walk on the dunes,” she said breathlessly, squeezing his hand. “It’s too crowded down by the shore.”
    He agreed without hesitating and, putting an arm around her bare waist, led her up the sand, the rhythmic, regular wash of the waves following behind them as they half walked, half skipped.
    Soon they were alone in the soft valley between two mounds of sand, walking barefoot in the tall grass. Breathless and eager for each other.
    Jessica kissed his lips first, her eyes burning into his. Then, her lips quivering in anticipation, she felt her fangs descend as she lowered her mouth to his neck.
    She closed her eyes dreamily and was about to bite when the scream rang out.
    â€œHelp me! Somebody—please help !”
    A girl’s scream. So shrill. So terrified.
    So near.

CHAPTER 10 GABRI DID IT
    Jessica groaned, disappointed.
    So close, so close.
    And I’m so thirsty.
    She opened her eyes to see Todd